Ecclesiastes 6:8

8 What advantage does a wise man have over someone who is foolish? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to act toward others?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 6:8

For what hath the wise more than the fool
More delight and pleasure, in gratifying his senses, by eating and drinking: the wise man enjoys no more than the fool; the fool finds as much pleasure in the labour of his hands, which is for his mouth, as the wise man does; and the wise man can get no more satisfaction to his mind, from these outward gratifications, than the fool; what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
either, what does the poor man want more than the rich man, that knows how to get his bread, and is diligent and industrious among men to live, and does get a livelihood for himself and family; he enjoys all the sweets and comforts of life, as well as the rich man: or what hath the poor knowing man? as Aben Ezra interprets it, according to the accents; what has he more or does he enjoy more, than the poor foolish man, provided he has but sense enough to behave himself among men, so as to have bread to eat, and clothes to wear; which is as much as any man can enjoy, be he ever so rich or so wise?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 In-Context

6 And that's true even if he lives for 2,000 years but doesn't get to enjoy his wealth. All people die and go to the grave, don't they?

7 Man eats up everything he works to get. But he is never satisfied.

8 What advantage does a wise man have over someone who is foolish? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to act toward others?

9 Being satisfied with what you have is better than always wanting more. That doesn't have any meaning either. It's like chasing the wind.

10 God has already planned what now exists. He has already decided what man is. A man can't argue with the One who is stronger than he is.